And this is where I lose myself....

[puisne_turk]

Who: Elena and Tseng
When: After Hojo has had his fun tinkering with Elena's insides
Location: ShinRa Labs; Junon
Rating: PG13 / R (It's gonna get messy)
Summary: Elena's been under the watchful eye of Professor Hojo for some time when she finally gets a certain special visitor.

Comments

[puisne_turk]

Now this was a lovely dream, nothing like the ones filled with revenge on a certain scientist gone madman. No, this was one like the old ones, filled with a field of flowers and warmth. The hatred, the anger, nothing but peace and calm existed here. In a whispering wind, she was sure she heard a voice telling her to remain in control, to focus the negative feelings into a weapon and sharpen it into a dangerous blade. She would do as told, yes. Mother knew best.

Closed eyes twitched as she dreamed - perhaps Hojo wasn't giving her enough sedatives, this dream was much more vivid. The ground beneath her naked feet was warm, the breeze cool against her legs. Strands of gold tickled against her cheek and she moved her hand to brush the stray hair behind.

Something shifted, the breeze, which had been blowing east, suddently stopped and turned west, like a breath had been blown from the other side. Her body froze. Out of nowhere - perhaps she had blinked - Tseng appeared standing in front of her. Suit pressed, as expected, expression blank of any emotions. A little bubble of a noise escaped past her throat, but she did not move. Elena only stared at him, waiting.
You know what to do.

"...Elena."

That voice... Roused from her drug-induced slumber, thick lashes lifted slowly as eyes forced away the blur and unintelligible shapes. Hazel eyes, speckled with spots of green, focused on her visitor. For several moments she couldn't talk. Had she been warned of his visit by his spectral visit in her dream? Why had he waited for so long before seeing her? Your inaction brought me here. He had his business face on and she returned an equally calm face, trying not to let herself feel silly for trying to stay so serious while strapped down like a mental patient.

"...Tseng."

[turk_commander]

Tseng watched her wake slowly, his face impassive. Seeing her lying here brought the truth down on him even more than the reports he'd received had and if he was honest with himself, he'd taken so long to come see her because he didn't want to believe.

The flecks of green in her eyes didn't escape his notice and his voice was even when he finally spoke, dark eyes watching her. "At least you recognize me. I came personally to question you since leaving it to someone else would be unfair of me."

[puisne_turk]

The silence was a little unsettling, moreso than before. It was clear by the way he looked down at her that his reason for seeing her was not a friendly visition of a sick friend. It was a little heartbreaking, Elena had to admit, that he had finally come and this was all he could present her with.

"And you thought that I wouldn't?" Like heartburn, anger bubbled behind the center of her chest, touching her tone ever so slightly as eyes narrowed slightly. "Excuse me for be a little callous, Tseng, but wouldn't you say that letting Hojo have his way is unfair to me?"

[turk_commander]

"I didn't know if you would or not, but considering the circumstances you were brought back under, this was the most acceptable place for you, until I had the time to ascertain your threat level to the others here, Elena. You should know that by now. We're fighting a war here." His voice was still completely calm and even, although one hand briefly clenched at his side before he forced it to relax.

"Professor Hojo and Doctor Crescent have been working on a way to halt the infection but it will take time. I can have you placed under her control, but that will not prevent him from having access to you."

[puisne_turk]

Teeth dug into the meat of her tongue, physically holding it in place as she listened to his explanation. It sounded rehearsed to her ears, practiced in the quiet of an office. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the flexing of his hand, curling of fingers into a fist before being forced into relaxation.

"As if I could forget who my partner was." Elena gave a little pause, eyes turning upward to stare at the ceiling. That little movement made her world spin, causing a wave of nausea to hit the back of her head, forcing her eyes closed momentarily. "I'm aware of the situation, Tseng."

"I would prefer that, but are you sure there isn't anything you can do about Hojo? I'm sure he's knowledgeable enough to help," The world 'help' is strained, as if she doesn't believe in the word, "but I don't want him touching me again. I won't be a threat so long as I can get these restraints off and so long as he is explains what his limits are. I'm chosen and I will be treated with respect."

[turk_commander]

"Chosen?" Tseng's voice was still calm, although his eyes had narrowed just a little. "The restraints are for the protection of those around you, Elena. In your current state, it's unknown how much more of a threat you could pose to the lab workers." He sighed quietly and looked away. "I can talk to Hojo if you want, but this is his lab."

Not my best, sorry. I promise better next time around!

[puisne_turk]

"Everybody is born with a reason and purpose, Tseng. And a very, very small few are chosen for far greater things."

Turning her eyes again, the movement of her head was kept to a minimum - there was no need to make herself dizzy again - looking up at him. Honey colored eyes, tinted with those unsual green specks, almost pleading for his sympathy. "I'm telling you that I am not a threat to the lab workers. Isn't my word enough?"

Watching as he looked away, a smaller voice inside cried out - hurt - and her fingers closest to him reached out, wrist pushing against the straps in an attempt to take a hold of the hem of his coat. But the strength of the restrain was far greater than her own sedated strength, so she barely moved a half-inch before her wrist was forced back down.

"Please, Tseng...."

Re: Not my best, sorry. I promise better next time around!

[turk_commander]

"That reasoning would work if you hadn't been complicit in helping Sephiroth escape Elena. I don't know what you're capable of now. Even sedated like..." His eyes followed the movement of her hand before he sighed quietly.

"Why did you do it, Elena?"

[puisne_turk]

"....."

Her eyes closed again. Different asker, same question. Everybody wanted to know the why of everything and she was no exception. So clearly it was understandable that Tseng wanted to know the reason behind her actions.

"You want the truth?" The truth - even subjective - was still the truth. Right? "I was...I felt like there was somebody inside me and they were pushing me, encouraging me, to help him. She kept coaxing me, talking to me when I was awake and asleep. She was...I don't know...its like she put me in a trance. Everything was a blur and it happened so fast...I didn't realize what was done until after we put several miles behind us.